Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

3. There is a sinful Tempting of God, and this is done two ways.

1. Generally, every Transgression in a general sense is a tempting of God, Num. 14. 22. They have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice. Every eminent and notable provocation of theirs is called a tempting of God. Hereby they make trial of Gods Justice, whether he will execute vengeance upon them or no. Thus we tempt Christ, when we fall into ⟨p. 94⟩any voluntary and known sin, we put it to the trial, what he will or can do, we enter into the Lists with God, provoke him to the Combat, 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? We try, whether God will be so severe as his threatening speaks him to be, as if we would make some experiment of his Anger, Justice and Power. This kind of tempting of God is compounded of Infidelity and Presumption. There is Infidelity in it, when we dare sin against the clear light and checks of Conscience, and venture upon his Threatenings: You cannot drive a dull Ass into the fire that is kindled before him, Prov. 1. 17. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And there is presumption in it, therefore these voluntary Acts of Rebellion are called presumptuous sins, Psal. 19. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins. Gross and scandalous sinners are described to be such as tempt God, Mal. 3. 15. And now we call the proud happy, yea they that work wickedness are set up; yea they that tempt God are even delivered. And Ananias and Sapphira are said to tempt the Holy Ghost,